ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's internationally-recognized government on Monday condemned the attacks launched by the Houthi militia on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
"The Yemeni government condemned in the strongest terms the Houthis' terrorist attack using explosive-laden drones against the UAE," Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry noted "the attack shows the Houthis' frustration" after their recent losses in Shabwa, which was fully recaptured by the pro-government southern Giants Brigades.
It also condemned "the militia's launch of three explosive-laden drones targeting the southern region of Saudi Arabia."
The ministry reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as any actions taken by the two allies to "confront these despicable terrorist acts, preserve the safety of their citizens and residents on their lands, and protect vital facilities."
Earlier in the day, Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for a military operation that struck areas deep inside the UAE, an active member of the Saudi-led military coalition.
The Houthis' claim was just after three petroleum tankers exploded in a fire near the storage facilities of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the UAE capital's Musaffah industrial district, the official WAM news agency reported, citing an announcement of the Abu Dhabi police.
A minor fire also broke out at the new construction site of Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to the WAM.
Initial investigations show the fires and explosions were possibly caused by unidentified drones in the area, WAM said.
During the past two weeks, a large-scale military operation was carried out by the southern Giants Brigades against the Houthis in Shabwa with direct supervision from the UAE.
The UAE-backed military campaign enabled the pro-government forces to fully capture the country's oil-rich province of Shabwa and other strategic areas in the neighboring oil-rich province of Marib.
Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi militia overran much of the country and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014.
Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen since 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis forced him into exile. ■
